Brahminy kite

[ brah-muh-nee ]

noun

1. a common kite, Haliastur indus, of southern Asia and the southwest Pacific islands, having reddish-brown plumage with a white head and breast.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Brahminy kite¹

First recorded in 1880–85; Brahminy, derivative of Brahmin, by analogy to such words as Bengali

Example Sentences

Double Eclipse was well beaten but both Brahminy Kite and Boscobel ran with credit to be fourth.

From The Guardian

Garūda, the Brahminy kite, the bird on which Vishnu rides, was the great subduer of snakes, and hence probably snake-charmers are called Garūdi.

From Project Gutenberg

Europeans have given this bird the name of the "Brahminy Kite," probably from observing the superstitious feeling of the natives regarding it, who believe that when two armies are about to engage, its appearance prognosticates victory to the party over whom it hovers.

From Project Gutenberg

Europeans have given this bird the name of the "Brahminy Kite," probably from observing the superstitious feeling of the natives regarding it, who believe that when two armies are about to engage, its appearance prognosticates victory to the party over whom it hovers.

From Project Gutenberg